THREE Withington film-makers are hoping to make a big impact on this year's Salford Film Festival.

Withington's Suddi Ravel, of Mauldeth Road, completed his five minute short, A Man Without a Voice, three weeks ago.

It has been nominated as best film and will be screened on Saturday, November 12.

The film was shot around the Ladybarn estate and several local youths were anxious to lend a hand.

"We were filming in Ladybarn and all the local kids were hassling us like hell," said Suddi.

"It was a problem at first, but in the end we just used them as extras."

The short details an incident between a white homeless man and an Asian member of public.

Suddi wanted to reflect upon the issue of homelessness in south Manchester, as well as to illustrate how quickly community members, and the viewer of the film itself, can jump to conclusions based upon racial and material prejudices.

"Becoming homeless could happen to any of us," he said.

"You can easily think that someone must have done something to end up like that.

"We all have a side where we can judge people without knowing them."

The film is a pet project for Suddi, 34, whose day job is running his business in the sound industry.

When asked about this motivation in creating the film and what his ambitions for the future projects, Suddi seems surprised.

"I don't have any. That sounds like I'm just saying it, but really the dream was just to see it on the big screen.

"The call from the festival organisers shocked me beyond belief, especially as they are putting it up for the best film award," he added.

"I've got quite a few other scripts I'd like to work on, though.

"I've got the bug and really enjoyed doing it - I'd like to do more."

Film costs were kept low by the casting of Suddi's sister, Amita Savani, and friends Jim Dalziel and OJ Borg, who were able to use connections from their time at Salford University to gain access to the equipment required.

"There were very, very few costs involved. The price of a video tape, really," said Suddi.

"We bought an old coat for Jim from a charity shop for a couple of quid and rolled it about in the garden a bit.

"Oh, and I asked him not to shave for a few days," he added.

The film is being shown for free at screen eight of the Red Cinema, at the Lowry Outlet Mall, on November 12. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Phil Mawkins, of Withington, will also be screening his film Swallowing It.

Phil is a director of top north west TV adverts but on the side is also the king of speed film making.

Swallowing It was made in 48 hours at the 48 Hour Film Challenge and won first prize.

It is about a beautiful girl who is on a date and the whole relationship is compressed into three minutes.

Phil said: "Making these films is about not sleeping for a few days. This film was written in two hours and shot in 11 hours."

Sarah Craig is showing a short film which follows a girl going for auditions for the Royal Academy of Music called A Wish.

Both are being shown on Sunday, November 13, from 4pm to 6pm. For more information call: 0161 872 1707.